Thieves Prey On Mother Of Critically Injured Officer

Sevierville (WVLT) - Thieves prey on the mother of a critically injured police officer just days after the mother has a heart attack. Luckily, sheriff's deputies in Sevier County were on guard.

Volunteer TV's Mike McCarthy was the only TV reporter on the scene.

Just when the family of Pigeon Forge Police Lieutenant Steve Helton thought things couldn't get any worse, they did.

The Sevier County Sheriffs Office says just after 1 p.m. Friday, neighbors called about someone breaking in to the injured lieutenants mothers' home. She's been in the hospital because she had a heart attack after she visited her son in the hospital.

Lieutenant Helton was injured in a hit and run accident early Wednesday morning. The sheriff's office says three people broke into the back window of the home and used a ladder to climb inside.

The sheriff's office says they took a semi-automatic rifle, 38 caliber pistol and some jewelry. The sheriff's office says they also drive off in the family's Ford Expedition.

Sheriff's deputies chased the vehicle for four miles, then it crashed. They took the woman driving into custody and chased down her male passenger. Sheriff's deputies also took another female into custody at her home in Sevierville. The sheriff's office says everything that was taken has been recovered except for the pistol.

The Sevier County Sheriff's Office says this crime was personal.

"Our heart goes out to them. We've known Steve, actually, Steve started his career here at this department, and again, our hearts go out to the family, and we wish them the best of luck in the world, and our prayers go out to them," Captain Jeff McCarter said.

All three people are just in custody, they are not arrested. Detectives are interviewing them right now and they expect to make the full arrest Friday evening.

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